Join Shana Orczyk Sissel, founder and CEO of Banríon Capital Management, as she discusses the ins and outs of structured notes and buffer funds with Vinay Tolia, CEO of Marine Layer Advisors. In this episode of 'What's the Alternative Podcast,' learn about the growing trend of defined outcome vehicles in the investment space, including their complexities, risks, and proper uses. Discover how Vinay's background as a derivatives trader provides unique insights into optimizing structured notes for clients, and why younger advisors might have a different view on these products compared to older generations. This episode is a must-watch for advisors looking to understand the nuances of structured notes and buffer funds to better serve their clients. –

Key Takeaways:

 * The evolution and efficiency improvements in structured notes and buffer funds.
 * Key differences between calendar offerings and custom offerings.
 * Important questions advisors should ask when considering structured products.
 * The impact of leverage and understanding risk in defined outcome investing.

Connect with us!

Vinay Tolia on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vinay-tolia-5163622/]

Marine Layer Advisors Website [https://www.marinelayeradvisors.com/]

Shana Orczyk Sissel on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shsissel/]

 Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

What's the Alternative? | Episode 26 | Riffing on Returns: A Structured Note Playbook with Vinay Tolia

What happens when a banker’s son builds a venture firm in a place most investors overlook? Brad Zapp, Cp-Founder, President and Head of Strategy & Marketing at Connetic Ventures, shares how rejection fueled his pivot into early-stage investing, eventually leading to Wendal, an AI-powered associate that reviews founders 24/7. With this remarkably innovative tool, Brad is reimagining who gets funded and who gets to invest. This episode unpacks how AI, behavioral science, and fund structure innovation are opening venture capital to a much broader audience.

Key takeaways:

 * AI can scale deal sourcing and diligence, even from outside traditional VC hubs.
 * Psychometric screening helps identify unconventional but high-potential founders.
 * Interval funds are breaking down access barriers for everyday investors.

Connect with us below!

 * Brad Zapp on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zapper/]
 * Connetic Ventures [https://conneticventures.com/]
 * Brittany Mason on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-mason-15811641/]
 * Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

The Alternatives Mason: Building Alts Knowledge Brick by Brick | Episode 28 |  THe VC Firm That Thinks Different and Hires Bots with Brad Zapp

Private credit is growing faster than ever, and in this episode of 'What's the Alternative?', Shana Orczyk Sissel sits down with John Sateri from The Gladstone Companies to uncover why. From small companies transitioning to market leaders to the intricacies of private credit, this conversation dives deep into an exciting and evolving sector.

Shana and John discuss his extensive background, the evolution of Gladstone since his start in 2007, and the unique advantages of private credit as opposed to traditional banking models. They break down the benefits and limitations of interval funds and BDCs, as well as the significance of understanding due diligence in this investment space. Tune in to gain insights on why private credit could be the key sector to watch in the coming years.

Key takeaways:

 * ·Understanding interval funds and their advantages in the market.
 * The hands-on approach required in private credit investing.
 * How private credit is displacing traditional banking capital.

Connect with us!

 * John Sateri on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-sateri-02311113/]
 * The Gladstone Companies Website [https://www.gladstonecompanies.com/]
 *  Gladstone Alternative Income Fund Website [https://www.gladstoneintervalfund.com/]
 *  Shana Orczyk Sissel on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shsissel/]
 * Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

What's the Alternative? | Episode 25 | The Private Credit Revolution with John Sateri

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of multifamily real estate investing! In this episode of 'What's the Alternative?', host Shana Orczyk Sissel sits down with Ivan Barrett, founder and CEO of The BAM Companies, to explore the ins and outs of multifamily investing. Ivan shares insights from over 25 years in real estate, discussing the impact of fiscal policies, the current market outlook, and why the Midwest offers unique investment opportunities.

Discover how The BAM Companies approaches property management, the importance of school districts, and BAM's dedication to community impact and economic resilience.

Key takeaways:

 * The stability and potential of multifamily investments amid economic fluctuations.
 *  How The BAM Companies identifies undervalued assets and manages them for optimal returns.
 * The role of school districts in property investment strategies.
 * BAM's focus on community impact and fostering a positive workplace culture.

Connect with us!

Ivan Barratt on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanbarratt/]

 The BAM Companies [https://thebamcompanies.com/]

Shana Orczyk Sissel on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shsissel/]

Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

What’s the Alternative? | Episode 24 | Roundabouts and Real Estate: A Multifamily Adventure with Ivan Barratt

Have you ever heard of downside protection? It's the strategy that David Selznick used to build an all-weather investment approach in real estate. Instead of chasing trends, he focuses on sectors like senior housing, student living, and medical offices. In other words, the type of properties with a demand that holds strong even when the market is shaky.

In this episode of What’s the Alternative?, David explains how cash flow beats speculation and how patience leads to better pricing. If you're into real estate, long-term strategy, or just want to understand what it takes to do smart investments during cloudy times, this one's for you.

Key takeaways:

 * Why cash flow is key during uncertain times
 * Sector focus over trends
 * Know your market
 * Real estate is about discipline

Resources mentioned:
Carrie Brenner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-brenner-132513110/

Connect with us!

 * David Selznick on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-selznick-a11b9aa0/]
 * Kayne Anderson website [https://www.kayneanderson.com/]
 * Shana Orczyk Sissel on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shsissel/]
 * Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

What’s the Alternative? | Episode 23 | Private Real Estate and How to Build All-Weather Business with David Selznick

Greg Friedman has a financial journey that starts in his early childhood, investing his birthday money, and has brought him to launching Peachtree Group in 2007. In this episode, he explains what he calls the Mispriced Risk Business and how he’s overseen $11 billion in real estate investments.

Key takeaways:

 * Greg’s first memories and how they shaped his entrepreneurial mindset.
 * The difference between happiness and fulfillment.
 * Mispriced risk and how to make money out of it.
 * The importance of relationships for any business.

Connect with us below!

 * Greg Friedman on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-friedman-0312192/]
 * Peachtree Group [https://www.peachtreegroup.com/]
 * Brittany Mason on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-mason-15811641/]
 * Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

The Alternatives Mason: Building Alts Knowledge Brick by Brick | Episode 27 | Real Estate and Commercial Investment in Crisis Markets with Greg Friedman 

In this episode, Brad Zapp, co-founder of Connetic Ventures, shares how he left wealth management to pioneer AI-powered founder analysis and launch one of the first advisor-accessible venture capital interval funds. We dive into his journey building Wendell, an AI “psychologist” that quantifies founder traits, and why making private markets more accessible isn’t just innovation—it’s a necessity. For any advisor looking to bridge the public-private gap without sacrificing ease or scale, this episode delivers a bold new blueprint.

Key takeaways:

 * AI can quantify founder psychology and improve early-stage investment decisions.
 * Interval fund structures remove barriers for advisors and their mass affluent clients.
 * Access to private markets is essential as companies stay private longer and public markets shrink.

Connect with us!

 * Brad Zapp on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/zapper/]
 * Connetic Ventures [https://conneticventures.com/about-us/]
 * Shana Orczyk Sissel on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shsissel/]
 * Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

What’s the Alternative? | Episode 22 | From Advisor to VC: How AI and Access Are Reshaping Venture Capital with Brad Zapp

What do elite school districts have to do with resilient real estate investing? In this episode, Sean O’Dowd, Managing Partner of Scholastic Capital, shares how his “Scholastic Thesis” turns high-demand education zones into a powerful, defensive investment strategy. With multi-year leases, strict buy-box criteria, and a data-driven mindset, his approach offers stability in uncertain markets. He also unpacks the growing insurance crisis in states like Florida and why it may reshape U.S. real estate for years to come.

Key takeaways:

 * Multi-year leases in elite school districts create predictable income and economic stability.
 * A disciplined 17-point property selection process limits risk and maximizes tenant satisfaction.
 * Skyrocketing insurance costs may spark major demographic shifts in the U.S. real estate market.

Connect with us below!

 * Sean O’Dowd on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-odowd/]
 * Scholastic Capital [https://scholasticcapital.com/]
 * Brittany Mason on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-mason-15811641/]
 * Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

The Alternatives Mason: Building Alts Knowledge Brick by Brick | Episode 26 | How Elite School Districts Became a Billion-Dollar Investment Strategy with Sean O’Dowd

What do interest rate hikes really mean for your bond portfolio?

In this episode, Shana is joined by Michael Sedacca, Partner and Portfolio Manager at Rareview Capital, to break down how Federal Reserve policy cycles impact fixed income investing. From one of the most aggressive rate-hiking cycles in history to tactical opportunities in closed-end funds, Michael offers clear insights into what today’s interest rate environment means for investors.

We cover:

 * How the Fed’s 5.5% rate hike cycle has shaped the bond market
 * Why early homeowners with sub-4% mortgage rates are in a uniquely lucky position
 * How closed-end funds can offer value through shifting premiums and discounts
 * The surprising opportunities in commercial real estate and AAA-rated securities yielding 8–9%

Tune in to gain a clearer view of the bond market, interest rates, and smart strategies for what's ahead.

Connect with us!

 * Michael Sedacca on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-sedacca-32649851/]
 * Rareview Capital LLC [https://rareviewcapital.com/]
 * Shana Orczyk Sissel on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shsissel/]
 * Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

What’s the Alternative? | Episode 21 | Finding Yield in a Volatile Market with Michael Sedacca

Connor Lapean, Investment Research Associate at Banríon Capital Management, opens up about breaking into alternative investments while still in college. From battling imposter syndrome to embracing AI and spotting opportunities in private credit, Connor shares what it really takes to earn trust and grow fast in a high-stakes industry.

With a grounded mindset and a no-excuses attitude, he shows how Gen Z is reshaping finance—one bold move at a time.

Connect with us below!

 * Connor Lapean on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-lapean/]
 * Brittany Mason on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-mason-15811641/]
 * Banríon Capital Management [https://www.banrioncapital.com/]

The Alternatives Mason: Building Alts Knowledge Brick by Brick | Episode 25 | Gen Z Grit in the Finance Industry with Connor Lapean

Welcome to The Alternatives Mason: Building Alts Knowledge Brick by Brick. Banrion Capital Management uses technology to help independent advisors scale and educate themselves on alternative investments. Since education is such a big piece of the Banrion mission and business, we are excited to kick off this series to dive into the nits and grits of the alternatives space.

The Alternatives Mason: Building Alts Knowledge Brick by Brick

Join host Shana Orczyk Sissel, Founder & CEO of Banrion Capital Management, as she interviews leaders in the alternative investment space. Learn more about their firms, their passions and about the many different ways investors can use alternative investments to add value in their investment portfolios.

What's the Alternative? Meet the Manager

Alternative investments don’t have to be complicated. Banrion Capital Management helps simplify investing in alternatives.

Banrion Capital Management

Shows